Published on Archlosophy on 7 January 2025.
Art Exhibit
Last weekend, I attended an art exhibit in a shopping mall. Organised by Ambulance Wish Singapore, a non-profit that fulfills the final wishes of terminally ill patients, the exhibit featured the works of Jun Yong Pow, a 31-year-old graphic designer. The exhibit consisted of printed illustrations, photography, and plates, among other mediums.
Jun Yong was diagnosed in early 2023 with stage 4 urachal cancer. A rare and aggressive form of cancer, Jun Yong has exhausted all treatment options, including chemotherapy and operations, with no promising results. In May 2024, his doctors told him that he had around 6 months left to live. In November 2024, doctors told him 3 months left. This exhibition was a long, unfilled dream of his.
He said so himself,
It’s not easy having your life suddenly uprooted and turned upside down. So really, this is my last leg forward in my professional as well as my personal life.
Jun Yong Pow
The President of Singapore and the First Lady were there to give their support. Their presence drew a large crowd, and I wondered if people were there to view the exhibit or to catch a glimpse of them. As the crowd dispersed, I finally had the chance to view the exhibit.
This wasn’t a typical exhibit that showcased a living artist’s or a deceased artist’s pieces, which is generally the case for plenty of artworks. It showcased dying artists’ artworks. I think this deserves a category by itself because even before seeing the artworks, the context would propel you to feel sorry for the artist (at least for me), even if it’s just a little. A cloud of melancholy hovering over you as you roam the exhibit.
Was it out of support or pity that I decided to visit the exhibit? Perhaps it was both. What if it was someone else’s artwork that was on display? Someone who’s still living or deceased. Would I have gone to visit? Would there be enough public interest? I dare not claim the moral high ground and say I’m there to fully support the artist. I’m not in a position to fully empathise with what he’s going through or feeling.
Living Funeral
Jun Yong described his exhibit as akin to a living funeral. The term ‘living funeral’ is an oxymoron in itself, one that people are starting to take note of and embracing its notion of celebrating a well-lived life. Our attitudes on death are changing. Unlike in the past, the concept of Death is becoming more acceptable and entering our everyday discourse. It’s used in casual conversations as a metaphor or even as a joke. This desensitisation of Death, ironically, could be the reason why people are realising the fragility of Life and starting to live Life. To live more intentionally. To experience more intentionally. To create more intentionally.
Our creations don’t have to be a magnum opus; any creation is bound to outlive us, whether intentional or not, and I think there’s an implicit beauty in that. It enhances the experience of life, be it personal or collective. This exhibit was a collective experience. Releasing this exhibit in the potential imminence of death requires a great deal of courage.
Thank you, Jun Yong, for sharing your courage and art with us. Through staring at the face of mortality, your work has shown us that human creativity has no limits. It has the power to transcend time and connect us with each other.
Be kind to yourself,
Kai
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